Ra'zaan stood at the top of a hill, looking off into the distance. It was six in the afternoon, and Ponyville was in the horizon. The Khajiit turned around and saw over three hundred guards, and all the ponies he'd met thus far. Even Nadene, who until this morning was against Ra'zaan and the ponies, was ready to charge her former leader. She caught the warrior's eyes staring at her.
"You like what you see?" The Dark Elf giggled softly. "You still don't trust me, do you? It's understandable, I guess. After all, the only things I've done while I've been here are stop you from killing Halius, and nearly kill that rainbow-maned pony..." Nadene showed a sign of remorse, then quickly shook it away and smiled. "I'm going to try to fix that!"
"I'm not worried about what you've done." Ra'zaan said. "I'm worried about what you could do."
"Ra'zaan, you need to relax a little. The fight hasn't even started yet!" Twilight said, having overheard their exchange.
Pinkie Pie popped up from behind the purple unicorn. "Yeah, silly! Have a little fun before you have to get all serious!"
"Heh, See? Even your friends think you should lighten up, you stubborn cat!" The Dark Elf joked, giving a playful smirk to show she meant nothing by what she'd said.
Ra'zaan knew he couldn't win this discussion. "Oh, alright. You win. I'll try to loosen up a little." The Khajiit glanced back down at the colorful town in the distance. "Be warned, though; If you betray what trust I have for you, I won't hesitate to take you down." "We've got one hell of a battle ahead of us... I hope the Princess knows what she's doing..."
Ponyville was a little less than and hour's walk away. The guards had superior training, but the mage's had the advantage in terms of numbers. If Ra'zaan, his friends and the guards don't win this battle, Equestria as a whole could be changed forever.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Golam, Halius, Kynan, and Ysura sat around a booth in Sugarcube Corner. Golam had untied the Cakes and had Ysura use her mind-control on them. The mages were enjoying some fresh-baked cake.
"Do you think Nadene got away okay?" Kynan asked.
"She's probably trapped in the castle right now. That girl is just too excitable." Ysura snapped.
Golam looked at his three subordinates. "I'm sure she's fine. Nadene is made of tougher stuff than most."
"You give her too much credit, Mr. Faram." Ysura's eyes shot daggers at Golam. "Just because she's your niece, that doesn't make her any more capable than the rest of us!"
Golam had to suppress a laugh at that accusation. "No, her training in both the Dark Brotherhood and the College of Winterhold* is what makes her more capable. I saw to her training myself." He smiled at a fuming Ysura.
Halius just sat quietly, happily watching his companions' conversation. The rogue mages had already seen The mage's army was as ready as it could be, so now all they could do is wait. They couldn't gain control over the remaining population of the town because, after the initial fight, most free-minded ponies had fled the town to get away from any dangers the town would soon face.
Halius glanced out the window of the bakery, and saw a large enemy force approaching about a half-hours walk away.
"Golam, sir. They'll be here soon." Halius said calmly, pointing out the window.
Golam sighed. "Very well. Ready the ponies. We'll be ready for them."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ra'zaan walked at the front of the guard army as they moved down the road towards Ponyville. The edge of town could clearly be seen, as they were only a few minutes away. Another thing that could clearly be seen was the enormous crowd of brain-washed ponies lined up at the edge of town, ready to fight. The mages, which were the guards' real targets, were behind the huge collection of ponies. Ra'zaan looked back at the other group leaders. They nodded.
"Charge!" The leaders all yelled at once, running towards the advancing enemy.
"Get them!" Golam screamed as his army began it's assault.
Loud cheers and battle cries could be heard throughout the battlefield as expertly-crafted steel met kitchen knives and make-shift blunt objects. The guards knew their orders and knew the consequences of disobeying them. It was obvious even to Twilight and her friends, whom had almost no experience with fighting at all, that the guards were holding themselves back.
Fortunately for the guards, the plan the leader's had come up with only involved them holding the mind-controlled ponies off while the leaders went after the mages. So far, that plan had gone perfectly. The guards were outnumbered, but could hold their own against the inexperienced mares and stallions. Ra'zaan, the element bearers, Captain Pride, Derpy, Big Mac' and Nadene all made it through the giant crowd while the guards handled their part of the plan. The group of eleven stood facing three familiar faces and a new one. The four mages stood across from the leaders, ready for the fight that could make or break their conquest plans.
"This is it, Golam! Let's end this!" Ra'zaan growled, drawing his sword.
"I agree, Khajiit. This constant battle between our two forces has dragged on long enough. Prepare yourselves!" The leader of the rogue mages snapped.
As the Dark Elf finished his sentence, the three mages that were with him split up, and ran at the group in different directions. Halius was matched up against Rainbow, Pinkie, and Big Mac'. Applejack led Derpy and Fluttershy towards Kynan. Ysura was up against Twilight, Rarity, and Iron. That left Ra'zaan and Nadene alone against Golam.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celestia sat out on her balcony overlooking Equestria quietly with a very solemn look on her face. All she could think about over and over again was "I hope they'll be alright..." The little purple dragon that sat at her side had a similar look on his face. He'd stayed with the Princess on a certain purple unicorn's request.
"Princess..." Spike began. "What do you think will happen if Twilight and everypony else fail? What will you do?"
Celestia glanced over to the baby dragon before answering calmly. "I... I'm not really sure what I'd have to do... and I'd prefer not to think too much about it right now, if you don't mind..."
"Of course, Princess. I'm just worried about them..." The dragon said slowly.
"I am too, Spike. I am too..." The Princess said shakily.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twilight stared straight into this new mage's eyes. This was the fifth and final mage, and she had no idea what abilities this one had. Rarity stood at the purple unicorn's left and Iron stood at her right.
"Who are you?" Twilight asked.
Ysura stared at her first opponents since she'd gotten here. "My name is Ysura. I am the one responsible for the spell our army is under."
Iron cut in at this point. "Your army? Don't you mean the innocent lives your taking advantage of?" He snapped.
"It doesn't matter whether they are innocent or not, as long as they serve their purpose. They're expendable." Ysura smiled.
That last statement was too much for Iron. He charged at the mage blindly with his short sword drawn.
"Captain, wait!" Twilight pleaded. The Captain Ignored her.
Lunging out with his sword, Iron sliced at Ysura. She calmly dodged each consecutive slice, moving just out of reach every time he attacked. This only made Iron more irritated than ever. After another failed swing of his sword, Ysura finally stopped the raging stallion with a quick kick to his chest, sending him flying back to Twilight and Rarity.
"Captain, that was reckless! You know these mages aren't going to go down easy, so calm down and think before your act!" Twilight yelled.
"The Captain glared at Twilight, but nodded regardless. "I know... But they're treating ponies like worthless pawns! We have to do something!"
"...And we will, but we need to know what we're up against before we can deal with it, darling." Rarity said while watching Ysura, who, at this time, was just staring blankly into the sky, waiting for them to get serious and fight.
"Are you three just going to sit around and talk? I was expecting more of a fight from you ponies." Ysura had a bored look on her face. "If you won't attack, I will!"
Ysura made a motion with he hands and a bound bow instantly appeared in them. Then the hand that wasn't holding the bow started to glow a dark purple. Two red-skinned creatures with menacing black, spiky armor appeared, holding equally menacing black swords.
"Do you like my Dremora**? I hope so, because you'll be getting to know then here very shortly!" Ysura sneered.
In one quick move, the battle had been turned from three-on-one to three-on-three. Twilight gulped. They needed a plan, and they needed it now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rainbow dodged a frozen spike as she weaved back and forth in the air, flying straight for Halius. The High Elf had a bound sword in one hand and was firing frost magic from the other. His robes were cut open and the wound Ra'zaan had inflicted earlier could clearly be seen underneath, but it was sealed up for the most part. The cyan pony swooped down and tried to slam into the mage, but he swung his sword and she had to redirect herself so she wouldn't get sliced. Rainbow then landed back between Big Mac' and Pinkie.
"Darn it! I thought... I had him... that time!" Rainbow said, breathing heavily.
"Well, duh! Of course it didn't work! That was the third time you've tried that Dashie!" Pinkie smiled.
Big Mac' didn't say anything, and instead stared at the mage that had pitted him against Ra'zaan the day before. A deep scowl adorned the red stallion's face.
"What's up, Big Mac'? Something wrong?" Rainbow looked at the stallion with curiosity. "Are you okay?"
"Ah'm fine. Let's git this varmint. Ready, girls? Rainbow, you attack from the sky. Pinkie, see if ya can't get behind 'im..."
Mac' whispered slowly.
"A-alright then, big guy... Let's do this!" Rainbow stuttered. She wasn't used to hearing the Red stallion talk so much.
Pinkie just smiled and nodded vigorously. Rainbow and Big Mac' ran in, Mac' on the ground and Rainbow in the air. Halius blasted them back again and again with ice shards and swings of his sword. They dodged everything he through at them, and continued charging.
You two must know this pathetic routine isn't going to work, right? I've blocked every one of your attacks. it's pitiful." Halius laughed as he swatted the red stallion away with is sword. "You two aren't even worth the effort I'm expending at this rate."
What Halius hadn't realized was that the two ponies in front of him were just creating a distraction. While he'd been busy blocking and bad-mouthing them, Pinkie had made her way back around behind the High Elf. She ran up and bucked him in his back with all her strength, sending him flying through the air right into Mac' and Rainbow's waiting hooves...
...their back hooves, that is...
Halius flew straight from one buck onto his knees in front of the blue and red ponies. These two, in turn, bucked him directly into the center of his chest, launching him over fifteen feet backwards, over Pinkie's head. He laid there for a moment, then slowly got to his feet.
"You three... are going to pay... for that!" The High Elf said angrily. His breathing was heavy as his free hand glowed with an intense blue aura.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Well, if it isn't the little pony I toasted with fire magic yesterday! You little pests heal quick, don't you?" Kynan laughed, staring at Applejack.
Applejack returned his gaze with fire in her eyes. "Ya won't git me a second time! Ah think it's 'bout time Ah settled the score." She growled.
She, Derpy, and Fluttershy stood facing Kynan, who had both hands lit with fire magic. He looked at the trio and smiled.
"Well, looks like you don't have one of your 'unicorns' with you this time, so I don't have to worry about getting trapped again. Without that, your fate is all but sealed!" Kynan smirked.
The Breton started firing fireball after fireball at the three ponies, causing them to scatter. Fluttershy took flight with Derpy and started swerving back and forth, dodging the flying fire easily. Applejack was busy dodging back and forth, gaining ground with each movement. As she crept closer, Kynan sped his shots up so he could fire faster. His focus quickly went from all three ponies to just the orange one in front of him as he failed over and over, trying to hit the farm pony.
"Damn it! Stop moving around so much you little bi -- ugh!" Kynan was cut off as two sets of hooves beamed him in the left side of his head.
The two pegasi responsible landed on the ground as Kynan's body was slammed into a nearby tree. He got up quickly, but evidently not fast enough as Applejack had already reached him and planted her hind hooves directly into his jaw. While he was face-first in the dirt, Fluttershy and Derpy ran over and grabbed his feet. They then took off up into the air until his head was a few feet off the ground.
"Let me down, you stupid ---" The Breton was again cut off as a sharp pain appeared in his abdomen.
He was sent flying the the air and landed on on some grass under the same tree he'd hit a few moments ago. He stood up a bit slower this time, and his eyes were full of rage. He looked over and saw Applejack standing back up after she had body-slammed him.
"Alright... You want to get serious about this? Then I'll allow you the privilege of seeing my strongest power!" Kynan yelled as the glow on his hands dispersed.
Applejack, Fluttershy and Derpy watched on in horror as the mage's body started changing... Brown fur grew all over him. his nose and mouth extended out into a snout. His eyes narrowed. His hands and feet changed with sharp, menacing claws, and when he opened his mouth, several rows of long, sharp teeth were there. A short, furry tail appeared, and his stance completely changed.
"W-what the h-hay is th-that th-thing?!" Applejack asked with fear in her voice.
"I-I'm n-not sure... I-it looks a l-lot l-like a w-wolf s-standing up..." Fluttershy squeaked. She was visibly shaking from fear.
Derpy's eyes seemed to straighten themselves out for a moment. "Do w-we have t-to fight t-that th-thing?!"
Applejack's face was completely flushed. "I don't r-reckon we got a ch-choice! Here it c-comes!"
The trio braced for impact as the Werewolf*** ran at full speed towards them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ra'zaan stood with Nadene, staring at the cause of all that had occurred in the past three days. Golam, the leader of the rogue mages and the reason Ra'zaan was in Equestria in the first place, stood smiling back at them.
"Well, it's good that you brought my niece back to me, Khajiit. I'd begun to worry about the poor girl."
"Don't act like you don't know what's going on, uncle. "Nadene shouted at the older Dark Elf. "I'm here to finally get rid of the one person that I've ever hated. You."
"Don't be ridiculous, Nadene. Get over here and help me with this cat!"
No, Golam! I'm tired of listening to all of your theories and conquering ideas." She held out the ebony dagger she'd used against Ra'zaan in front of her. "Did you ever wonder why I always use this dagger when I fight? This belonged to a close friend of mine. A friend you killed when he stood up to you and fought against your ideas five years ago. I kept it so I could always remember what you did. Now, I've got a chance I never had before. A chance to finally avenge my friend by killing you!" Nadene's normal, happy attitude was gone. A rage that had been building for five years replaced it.
"Well, it looks like you'll get to see this so-called friend a lot sooner than you thought. Come at me then, girl. You and the Khajiit are no match for me." Golam said with a cold, angry tone. He reached over to his side and drew out two katanas exactly like the one Ra'zaan was holding. "If you think you can fight me, be my guest. I'll saver every second it takes to kill the two of you!"
Hearing the story Nadene had just told, Ra'zaan's trust was more than doubled. Anyone that held that much contempt for someone had to be telling the truth.
"She's your niece, hmm? And yet, you'd have no second thoughts about killing her?" Ra'zaan's voice was devoid of any emotion.
Golam turned to the Khajiit. "I have no need for a traitor, family or not. I will not screw around like my subordinates have against you, Khajiit. I'm going to use my full power. I know how strong the two of you are."
Golam's eyes changed to a dark, crimson red. His dark skin paled, and a smile spread across his face. Two long, sharp fangs hung out of his mouth.
Golam was a Vampire^.
TO BE CONTINUED
The College of Winterhold* - Skyrim's version of the Mage's Guild.
Dremora** - A demon-like humanoid from a hellish dimension known as Oblivion. Often seen wearing Daedric Armor, which is the armor that usually only Dremora can make.
Werewolf*** - To be a Werewolf in the Elder Scrolls (Skyrim at least), one must consume the blood of a living werewolf. This is usually done with the consent of the one becoming the werewolf. Werewolves are much faster, stronger, and fiercer than humans.
Vampire^ - To become a Vampire in the Elder Scrolls (Skyrim at least), one must be bitten by a vampire of consume the blood of one. Golam is shown in this chapter changing into a vampire a will, which is not possible in the game.